I did not have a slide as a child. This did not traumatize me. I did not need a slide. I had hay bales, seed bins, a creek, cow paths to explore and trees to climb. The hayloft of a barn had so much more to entice a child. Things like forgotten eggs that could be tossed out the hay door. The eggs splattered beautifully and smelled awful. What kid would not love that! Reba Jane, my very best friend, and I giggled every time.

The Farnsworth house was two stories. The window of the upstairs bedroom opened onto the back porch roof. Simply open the window and remove the screen. One could step onto the porch roof. From there one could then ascend to the top of the house. That gave access to the chimney. One could shout down to anyone in the dining room. Little kids could be frightened that way. What tween would not love doing that to irritating younger relatives.

At the country school I attended there were swings, acting bars, a merry go round and see saws. No slides. But the park where the family reunion was held each September had slides. I enjoyed those slides. Even in dresses with lots of petticoats, the slides were still fun. Eventually my younger sister did get a slide at our home in the country. I was too big for slides as the boob fairy had visited me. Young southern girls with boobs just did not slide.

Maybe I have misled you. I did have a slide of sorts, a metal wrapped cellar door. It was slanted and mostly slick. It was under a shade tree which made it even more fun. Reba Jane and I would play under that tree. And we really did sing the 'Little playmate, come out and play with me' song. My family moved from the place when I was seven. There are times in the autumn of life it might be fun to go down a slide ... if one could just climb the ladder to get to it....

Friday, October 24, 2014

This new interest in writing haiku is opening a whole new world of authors to my feeble old mind. It is being fun, challenging and at times a little overwhelming. Nonetheless when I sit to work on blogs, it is the haiku I check first. No, I am not converting to Buddhism, but I am fascinated by the poetry format. Today's featured 'sparkling star' is Jack Kerouac. Please, click here to read the prompt that tells more of Mr. Kerouac's life and works. The following are a couple of samples of his work as a haiku poet.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

In 1993 we moved into a newly built home. The back yard was dirt and four scrawny saplings. Last fall we moved leaving behind a wonderful garden. It was designed to attract birds and butterflies. It did both very well. We dug a small pond by hand, 30 inches deep by 16 feet long and 8 feet wide. We fashioned a 25 foot stream leading from the filtration system back to the pond. Goldfish lived in the pond year round.

Evenings would include my walking to the pond to feed the fishes. Upon stepping onto the deck I would be greeted by a rush of fish. I miss many friends and the sparse family remaining in the area. In our new home I have birds and butterflies that visit our patio. But there is no soothing pond with a splashing brook waiting at the end of the day. No fishes to sit and enjoy.

Jim Kacian is highlighted by our host in this post. Mr. Kacian guides us in how a superior haiku has the poet disappearing so to speak. Click here to read the full article. In the above haiku I have attempted to 'be' the fishes. And in response to the longing prompt I have looked back to the pond we built in our back yard. I do miss my fishes.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Kristjaan Panneman, host of Carpe Diem Haika Kai, invites various persons to challenge the family of haiku writers. Garry Gay, a world renowned haiku poet has challenged us to think outside the box. His inspiration for us is the above walking skeleton. Join the Kai in this fun challenge. Or at the very least click here to see how the poets thought outside the box!

Thursday, October 16, 2014

The challenge is to write two lines of 7 sylabylls each that continue the sense of the above lines. Sounds easy enough at first glance, but oh, my. Click here for more info then give it a whirl yourself. Here is my attempt.